Latest: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed meets regional leaders in Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, has been elected the country's president.
The official announcement followed a meeting in Abu Dhabi of the rulers of the Emirates.
He becomes the third president in the UAE's history, following the death of Sheikh Khalifa on Friday.
State news agency Wam reported the decision by the Federal Supreme Council, which comprises the rulers of which comprises the rulers of the seven emirates.
Vice President and Ruler of Dubai
The President, Sheikh Mohamed “expressed his appreciation for the dear trust that his brothers, their highnesses, members of the Federal Supreme Council, have entrusted him with, praying that Almighty God helps him succeed, helps him in taking on this great responsibility and meeting it in serving the UAE and its loyal people”, in comments published by Wam.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, offered his congratulations.
“Today, the Federal Supreme Council elected my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as President of the State,” he wrote on Twitter.
“We congratulate him and we pledge allegiance to him, and our people pledge allegiance to him.”
The council held a meeting at Mushrif Palace, Abu Dhabi, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed.
Present were Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
Sheikh Dr Sultan, Ruler of Sharjah, said: “As he has witnessed the UAE's renaissance from a young age, accompanied by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Founding Leaders, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has significantly contributed to UAE's development and achievements due to his wise vision, constant support and direct guidance.
“We congratulate President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and ask Allah Almighty to grant him success and prosperity.
“We affirm our permanent solidarity in serving the nation and preserving its union under his wise leadership.”
A statement by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs said that, according to Article 51 of the Constitution, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was elected unanimously.
On Saturday, Sheikh Mohamed is receiving condolences over the death of his brother Sheikh Khalifa from the rulers and senior Emirati officials.
Foreign diplomats and leaders are expected to visit to pay their respects and meet the new president in the coming days.
Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President, said: “The smooth transition of power in the UAE reflects the strength of institutional work and the advanced standards of governance and stability.
“We thank God for the blessing of the UAE and pledge allegiance to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. May God protect him as President and leader.”
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed's life: in pictures
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The future President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed in the 1960s. The Al Nahyan family is from Al Ain and has remained strongly connected to the Garden City. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Mohamed in class in March 1969. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Mohamed practises writing in March 1969. He was schooled in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Rabat in Morocco and spent a summer at Gordonstoun in Scotland. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Mohamed dressed in military uniform at the age of about 10, in the 1960s. Sheikh Mohamed has spent his entire life in the service of his country. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Mohamed gives the opening speech at the open day for Al Kindi Primary School in Abu Dhabi in April 1971. Photo: National Archives -
UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with Sheikh Mohamed at the open day at Al Kindi Primary School in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mohamed's teacher, Mohamed Al Tamimi is standing behind him. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Zayed with four of his sons, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Hazza in November, 1974. Photo: National Archives -
The future President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi cycles with relatives in the 1960s. Some of the National Archives images of Sheikh Mohamed have rarely been seen before. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Mohamed enjoys a quiet moment in a garden in 1969. Courtesy: National Archives -
Sheikh Zayed with Sheikh Mohamed in October 1971, two months before the Union was formed. With Sheikh Zayed now the country’s founding President, his sons found themselves increasingly in the public eye. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Khalifa, the future second President, with Sheikh Mohamed. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Mohamed on horseback in the 1960s. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Zayed with three of his sons, Sheikh Mohamed, Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Hazza. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in August 1971. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Mohamed is known for his love of falconry. Here he is pictured with one of the birds of prey during a visit to Pakistan in 1970s. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Mohamed trains with a rifle at a military camp in Al Ain in the 1970s. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Zayed congratulates Sheikh Mohamed after his graduation from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, UK, after his return to Abu Dhabi on April 7, 1979. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Zayed, King Khalid bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia and Sheikh Mohamed during annual Saudi military manoeuvres in Abha, south-west Saudi Arabia, on June 27, 1979. Photo: National Archives -
Back in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed tends to a falcon at the Falconers Club. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Zayed with the Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmad Al Mualla, and Sheikh Mohamed performing Umrah. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Mohamed with Sheikh Khalifa and Britain's Prince Charles, at a banquet hosted by the British ambassador to the UAE on March 15, 1989. Also present are Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Sheikh Surour bin Mohamed and Ahmad Khalifa Al Suwaidi. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Mohamed attend the final of the Arabian Camel Festival at Al Wathba Racetrack, Abu Dhabi, on April 26, 1991. Photo: National Archives -
Lt Gen Sheikh Mohamed, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, at the graduation for non-commissioned officers at the Land Forces Non-commissioned Officer School on June 9, 1994. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Mohamed in March, 1996. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Zayed with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed. The three were attending 'The Arabs' Knight' operette, staged by the UAE Equestrian And Racing Federation at the close of the horse racing World Endurance Championship at Zayed Sports City, in Abu Dhabi. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Mohamed inspects the UAE's forces in Kuwait on March 18, 2003. The Second Gulf War began that month. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Mohamed at the wedding of Awaida Al Khaili in Al Ain on April 2, 2003. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Mohamed welcomes Britain's then prime minister Tony Blair in 2006. Reuters -
Sheikh Mohamed introduces US President George W Bush to a falcon in Sweihan, Abu Dhabi, on January 14, 2008. Mr Bush was on a Middle East tour. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Mohamed visit the Idex defence exhibition in Abu Dhabi in 2003. Sheikh Zayed died the following year. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, with Queen Elizabeth II of the UK, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Sheikh Mohamed and UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi on November 25, 2010. Photo: Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi -
Sheikh Mohamed with Britain's Prince Charles at Abu Dhabi International Airport on February 21, 2014. Photo: Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi -
King Mohammed VI of Morocco awards Sheikh Mohamed the Order of Muhammad First Class on March 17, 2015 in appreciation of the fraternal relationship between the UAE and Morocco. Photo: National Archives -
Sheikh Mohamed with US President Barack Obama during a summit meeting at Camp David, Maryland, US in May 2015. AFP -
Pope Francis and Sheikh Mohamed at the Abu Dhabi presidential airport, in February 2019. EPA -
Sheikh Mohamed receives a briefing via video conference, about the efforts to combat Covid-19, in March 2020. Photo: Ministry Of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed with his mother Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, on Mother's Day 2021. -
Sheikh Mohamed and French President Emmanuel Macron, wearing Expo 2020 Dubai wristbands, at the Fontainebleau Palace, France, in September 2021. Photo: Ministry Of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed meets Sheikh Mohammed in Dubai, April 2022. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed celebrates Eid Al Fitr with his grandchildren, in May 2022. Photo: Ministry Of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, help carry the body of Sheikh Khalifa. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed leads funeral prayers for Sheikh Khalifa on May 13, 2022. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs
